Heavy weather warnings issued for W. Washington

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SEATTLE - The National Weather Service has issued an array of warnings, watches and advisories for Western Washington as a series of storms barrels into the state from the Pacific Ocean.

Heavy rain, landslides, high winds and mountain snow are all in the mix as a succession of storms arrives one after another.

Here are the details:

PUGET SOUND LOWLANDS

An active weather pattern will continue this week as a series of wet Pacific frontal systems move through Western Washington in quick succession. The two strongest fronts in the series will affect the region Sunday through Monday night.

Landslides are possible as up to 2.5 inches of rain will fall in the lowlands, with the heaviest amounts generally at the coast and in the interior from around Everett southward.

Wet and locally windy weather will continue Tuesday and Wednesday. A brief lull in the weather is possible Thanksgiving Day and Friday, before another wet system arrives this weekend.

NORTHWEST INTERIOR

In addition to the rain and landslide potential, damaging winds are possible Sunday evening in the northwest interior, including Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties. The Admiralty Inlet area near Port Townsend also could be affected.

A high wind warning in effect from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, with the highest winds striking at about 7 p.m.

Southerly sustained winds of 25 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph are likely.

WASHINGTON COAST

A high wind warning is in effect from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday for the northern Oregon and southern Washington coast. A high wind watch is in effect from late Sunday night through Monday evening.

Winds in the coastal communities for late Sunday afternoon and evening are expected to reach 25 to 35 mph with gusts 50 to 60 mph. There will be another round of very strong and more widespread damaging winds for late Sunday night and Monday. South winds of 30 to 40 mph are possible with gusts 60 to 70 mph.

Winds at the beaches and headlands for late Sunday afternoon and evening will reach 30 to 40 mph with gusts 60 to 70 mph. After a brief lull, another round of very strong and more widespread damaging winds will occur late Sunday night and Monday, with gusts 75 to 85 mph.

Affected locations in Washington state include Raymond, Long Beach and Cape Disappointment.

Farther north along the coast, a wind advisory is in effect from noon Sunday to 9 p.m. A high wind watch in effect from Monday morning through Monday afternoon.

Some affected locations include exposed spots nearest the coastline, including the towns of Westport and Ocean Shores. South winds will peak late Sunday afternoon and early evening. After easing overnight, south winds will rise again Monday morning.

Along the central and northern Washington coast, southerly sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph are possible, easing late Sunday night. South winds will increase again Monday morning and afternoon. Speeds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph are possible.

CASCADE MOUNTAINS

A winter storm warning is in effect until midnight Monday.

Heavy snow is possible on the higher mountain roads above 4,500 feet. Snow will eventually change to rain in the lower Cascade passes as the storm moves through, but freezing rain is possible at times.

Some affected locations, including the higher mountain roads like the Mount Baker Highway, Washington Pass on the North Cascades Highway and the road to Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park, will receive mainly snow. Lower highway passes such as Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass and White Pass will receive snow initially but precipitation will eventually change to rain with freezing rain also possible.

Precipitation will become heavy at times Sunday night through Monday. Accumulations of 9 to 30 inches of snow is possible on the higher mountains roads. The snow level will be around 3,000 feet Sunday, then rise to 5,000 to 6,000 feet on Monday. Hazardous driving conditions are likely through Monday evening.

Two to five inches of rain is possible in the lower elevations of the Cascade Mountains.

OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS

A winter weather advisory is in effect in the Olympic Mountains. Heavy snow is possible in the Olympics above 4,000 feet, which is in effect until 6 a.m. Monday.

Precipitation will become heavy at times through tonight, with 6 to 11 inches of snow possible at higher elevations, such as Hurricane Ridge.

The snow level will be around 3,000 feet Sunday, then rise to 5,000 to 6,000 feet on Monday.

Two to five inches of rain is possible in the lower elevations of the Olympic Mountains.

SKOKOMISH RIVER

The Skokomish River in Mason County will probably begin flooding Sunday night or Monday as the succession of frontal systems brings heavy rain to thesouthern Olympic Mountains.

The Skokomish River could remain above flood stage for several days due to the cumulative effect of wet weather continuing next week.